A key for the whole world

Around the clock, around the globe

By switching to the E-Cliq electronic locking system, Orca now only needs a single locking system to effectively protect the valuable containers from unauthorized access during transport to construction sites all over the world. © Assa Abloy safety technology

There are only a few offices and warehouses at Orca's headquarters, as the company is essentially a mobile firm that works almost exclusively on a decentralized basis at its customers' premises. A new, often international team is set up for each project. Containers containing materials, equipment and tools are transported to the respective construction site. "This is practically our project-related branch of the company," says Jochen Busch. This means that the current members of the project team must have access to the containers and equipment. At the same time, the containers are often the only protection for the valuable and expensive special tools: "The tools are absolutely central to our work, we can't complete a project without the equipment," emphasizes the Managing Director. The Orca teams also need to be highly flexible, as project processes change, customer requirements are added and have to be fulfilled.

In order to be able to react spontaneously, weekend shifts and night work are also part of the job. The entire workflow with changing personnel, construction sites scattered across continents, time differences, transportation routes and the valuable material requires good security technology that is also absolutely flexible in terms of location and time. Until now, the company has used mechanical key solutions, which are cumbersome to manage and involve a lot of effort - for example, handing over keys. The desire for a secure and uncomplicated locking system that can be extended to cover the entire globe, is quick to install and easy to manage digitally was correspondingly great.

Electronic locking system with cloud-based management

The digital extension Cliq-Connect enables flexible cloud-based management of the new locking system, as access authorizations are conveniently controlled via app and smartphone - ideal for the extraordinary requirements at ORCA. © Assa Abloy safety technology

Büro Fass Handelsvertretung helped Orca decide on a functional and flexible locking system. The choice fell on the E-Cliq electronic locking system from Assa Abloy with the Cliq-Connect digital extension. The combination of wireless cylinders, an electronic key with battery, cloud-based management with self-explanatory software and updating of access authorizations via app and smartphone is ideal for Orca's unusual requirements. "Thanks to the variety of types and the simple installation of the system, all necessary rooms and containers at Orca can be easily integrated into the locking system and the system can be permanently converted with minimal effort. A maximum of one screwdriver is required to install the wireless cylinders. The cylinders are maintenance-free.

One key Thanks to the wide range of cylinder designs and variable cylinder lengths of the Cliq system, a wide variety of door locks in buildings and padlocks on containers can be integrated into a single locking system. It is also possible, for example, to integrate furniture, lockers, letterboxes or switchable systems such as elevators and industrial cranes. All ORCA buildings and halls as well as all containers and "outposts" can be equipped with a single locking system, regardless of where the containers are located. Each employee worldwide only needs a single Cliq Connect key, for which they are responsible. If the team in Germany has issued access authorization for the corresponding cylinder in the cloud using software, the team member can transfer this authorization from their smartphone to their key via Bluetooth using the Cliq Connect app on site - without the need for an additional programming device. The flexibility of the keys makes it possible to use them selectively for specific groups of people, including by using different key types for different requirements." All systems, from Chile to Malaysia, can be controlled across countries with Cliq and secured on a project-specific basis. A key administrator no longer needs to be on site.

Gain in safety and comfort

Thanks to the wide range of cylinder designs and variable cylinder lengths of the Cliq system, door locks in buildings and padlocks on containers as well as lockers, letterboxes, elevators and industrial cranes can be integrated into the same locking system. © Assa Abloy safety technology

The switch to digital locking technology has given Orca a major boost in terms of security and control: with a single electronic locking system and an electronic key for each employee, all scenarios of a project can now be mapped. As the power supply is integrated in the key and not in the cylinder using a replaceable standard button cell, the wireless Cliq cylinders are easy to install and ready for immediate use. Digital management makes it possible to grant, time-limit and revoke access authorizations with just a few clicks in the software. This means that temporary employees can be given limited access authorization at the start of a project, which automatically expires once the job is completed.

Above all, the flexible handling of access authorizations ensures greater security and convenience in all processes. Electronic management of access authorizations on the personal key completely eliminates the need for cumbersome handovers. Even the departure of an employee or the loss of a key is no longer a security problem - authorizations can simply be blocked from Germany. The cost-benefit effect is quickly realized with this locking system, if only due to the short response time in the event of a lost key.